Monthly Archives: March 2015

We’ve all been there. The night before class, you look on Blackboard and realize: “Oh no, I have an essay due tomorrow!” or “I totally forgot to read this chapter for Anatomy that we may have a pop quiz on” or my immediate heart attacker, “the huge test that we had three weeks to study for is TOMORROW?!”

Let’s be honest, we all like to procrastinate. We all have jobs, families, and other obligations that are vying for our time as well as our classwork. But we have to find a balance, because CCBC is just as important for our future. So, I have done some research and found some great tips on how to fight procrastination and become a better (and less stressed) student.

1. Find a space. I’m a creature of habit. I love doing homework in bed or on the couch because I love to be comfortable. But these places distract me from the work I’m doing because I am able to watch TV or maybe squeeze in a quick nap between assignments. Fight the urge by finding a specific place to do your classwork like a desk or kitchen table. No distractions and you are mentally prepared to work when you sit down.

2. To-Do List. Make a list of all things you want to get done today. It limits the amount of things you can forget and also gives you the satisfaction of crossing things off.

3. Get Help. I don’t know about you but I work better when I have a push to get something finished. If that’s the case, have a family member or friend motivate you to finish your work.

I realize that some of these tips may not help everyone but if they could work for you, TRY THEM. You won’t be disappointed.

Last week, I helped run the transfer fair held in the LRC. There were a lot of colleges there, and I think it was a really great opportunity for students. I’d gladly help with it again. But, I saw some problems with how it was being used.

I know there are a few teachers who give extra credit to their students if they show proof that they attended the transfer fair. I think that’s a great idea – it gives you a chance to get to the fair if your classes don’t give you much time, plus it benefits your current grades. However, I don’t think it’s a good idea if you have no intention of even attempting to find out anything about any colleges. I saw a couple students sign in, grab a flyer, wander around for a moment, and then leave, happy to get their bonus points, and laughing because, “I really fooled my teacher.”

My question is this: How did that benefit you? Your teacher isn’t going to be personally offended that you didn’t actually “go” to the fair. They were being nice and giving you an opportunity, and you were abusing it.

With that being said, I would have to say about 95% of the students that went through the fair were there for the right reasons. I saw lots of people who were happy that they were able to ask questions and have them answered on the spot. People were happy that they could enter the raffle to win a t-shirt or other prize, and it was nice getting to see more of the student body and interact with them.

It can’t hurt you to find out more about different colleges, because you never know if that one you really want to go to is going to work out or not. It doesn’t hurt to be polite and gather information. You may find something that is closer to home, more affordable, or that has more to offer you. If you choose to make a mockery of people trying to help you, you are the only one who loses out.

I debated between taking all classes on campus, or trying some online classes this semester. With my daily commute being anywhere from a half an hour to 45 minute drive, I didn’t want to drive out to CCBC everyday, Monday through Thursday, and I also didn’t want to just be at the school for hours at a time to maintain my full-time student status. I opted to take half of my classes online this semester just to see if I would like it, and if they would work better with my schedule.

I work full time, and am also a full time student, so balancing school and work is difficult for me anyways. It was hard to adjust to, at first, taking two classes online and balancing my other two classes and the rest of my life in general, but I’ quickly adapted. Both of my professors for my online classes only require either a chapter to be worked through in the text per week, or an assignment every Thursday, and test every Tuesday.

I will be honest though, while the classes I happen to be taking online are easy to bear considering the work load, they do still take motivation. More than once this semester, I’ve found myself cramming to finish school work before the time limit was up, or just squeezing time into my daily routine to get the work done. If you have a lot of time and consideration and are possibly tired of making the daily commute back and forth to school, I would definitely suggest online classes. It’s all up to your own personal preferences, though, and what really works best for you.

After attending grade school for 13 years, college is a great change! College is your choice, so most of the people that attend college want to learn; therefore, they are not there just because they are forced to go. It is a better learning environment because there are more positive people who will work with you in groups.

Also, you have to make your own schedule in college instead of having everything handed to you. In other words, you have to make sure you schedule the right classes, and you have to make sure that you can take the classes you need. College students also have to make sure they schedule their classes early because there are only so many seats per class, and sometimes you have to take prep classes before you can take a desired class. Over all, college offers more responsibilities than grade school does.

Next, a noticeable difference between college and high school are some of the academic responsibilities given to you. College has two 16 week semesters in a year. This means that one high school year is turned into 16 weeks; in addition to this, a college student will learn twice as much in one year than a high school student. Even more, some professors don’t check homework, so if you don’t know how to do something on your homework, you have to ask for help because they will assume you know the material. You have full responsibility for your grades. It is your job to pass your class, but there is no need to be afraid of college.

Your professors will help you; in fact, they like it when students ask them for help. It will also allow you to get to know your professor a little bit better. Always make sure you do your homework to better yourself, and you can even buy a planner, use your phone, or even make your own calendar to keep track of your time and days for when assignments are due. Anyone can successfully pass college as long as they want to. As long as you are willing to take on all the responsibilities, you will pass, and you will most likely have a successful future.